Arsenal in 'advanced talks' to sell one of Mikel Arteta's forgotten signings

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Matthew Judge | Editor

Arsenal are in advanced talks to sell Fabio Vieira to Bundesliga side Hamburg in a €10million (£8.6m) deal, according to BBC Sport's Sami Mokbel.

The Gunners are keen to cash in on the 26-year-old and all parties are optimistic that a deal will go through before next Tuesday’s deadline (1 September).

Vieira impressed while on loan at Hamburg last season, registering seven goals and six assists in 31 games for the German outfit.

STATS

Fábio Vieira

M (CR)

Hamburg

Fábio Vieira

M (CR)

Hamburg

All Tournaments

2025/26

• 31

  Games

• 7

  Goals

• 5

  Assists

View all stats

Should the midfielder seal a permanent move to Hamburg, it will bring an end to his four-year association with Arsenal.

Vieira joined in Mikel Arteta's sixth window as Arsenal boss

Vieira joined the north London club from Portuguese giants Porto for a reported €35m (£29.9m) fee in July 2022.

In what was Mikel Arteta’s sixth transfer window as Arsenal boss, the club also signed Matt Turner, Marquinhos, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko that summer.

Vieira recorded two goals and six assists in 33 games in 2022-23, before slipping down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium.

After posting two goals and four assists in 17 games in 2023-24, Vieira returned to Porto on a season-long loan in August 2024.

He bagged five goals and six assists in 42 games in his homeland before joining Hamburg on a temporary basis last season.

Vieira helped the six-time German champions retain their Bundesliga status by finishing 13th under Merlin Polzin’s stewardship.

In the likely event that Vieira leaves Arsenal on a permanent basis, he would become the sixth player to say goodbye to the Premier League champions this summer.

Arteta’s side have also sold Leandro Trossard, Jakub Kiwior, Christian Norgaard and Karl Hein, while Reiss Nelson terminated his contract by mutual consent.

Arsenal have also been busy in terms of incomings, having signed Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa, Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier on permanent deals.

Ecuador international Piero Hincapie has also turned his loan move into a permanent transfer, having excelled for the north London club last season.

Arsenal chasing Alvarez signing before Deadline Day

BBC Sport understands Arsenal have made Julian Alvarez their top target as they look to strengthen their attack before the transfer window closes in England next week.

The 14-time league champions are reportedly ready to make their move for the Argentina striker, should he signal he is willing to move.

Atletico director Mateu Alemany reportedly met Arsenal counterparts last week and said his club would want €150m (£129m) to part ways with Alvarez.

Arsenal have been looking to make a marquee signing up top all summer, with Vinicius Junior and Morgan Rogers among their previous targets.

Arteta’s men have also been credited with an interest in Juventus ace Kenan Yildiz but Alvarez is thought to be their dream signing.

Alvarez has developed a reputation as one of the most complete forwards in Europe since joining Atletico from Manchester City in August 2024.

He has registered 49 goals and 17 assists in 107 games for Diego Simeone’s side, though he is yet to win a trophy at the Metropolitano Stadium.

Alvarez has also netted 15 times across 59 caps for Argentina, with whom he won the World Cup at Qatar 2022. He also helped them reach this summer’s showpiece in North America.

The attacker, who has a staggering release clause worth €500m (£427.4m), is also wanted by Barcelona but Atletico insist they will not do business by their La Liga counterparts.